Man City vs Spurs

The final instalment of the bumper festive football programme comes live from The City of Manchester Stadium and pits two sides with strong European aspirations against each other in what should be a tight but entertaining match.Both Man city and Spurs have started this campaign in fine style reflected by the fact they sit eighth and fourth in the league respectively. ?Pyscho?has rejuvenated City and they have the look of a team really playing for their manager currently. They?ve become a much more organised outfit with consistent performers all over the pitch, non more so than the evergreen Andy Cole up front who?s rekindled the scoring touch.City are playing with confidence and are definitely a team on the way up continuing on from their late progress at the end of last season?s campaign.They are not in possession of any big name stars, Shaun Wright-Phillips departure may have worried a few of their faithful, but they have that all important team ethic and work rate mind set, characteristics so familiar in their managers own playing days.This style of play has made the City of Manchester Stadium a tough place to come to but not an impossible task for Martin Jols Lillywhites. City have been beaten at home three times this term and all against sides above them in the table.Bolton, Liverpool then Chelsea all nicked one nil wins here suggesting those that are resolute enough to contain Pearce?s men early doors and have a match winner within their ranks could hold the key to winning here.Spurs have exactly the right credentials. The boys from White Hart Lane have done nothing but impress so far this season and if Man City are a team going places then this Spurs side is already nearer the destination. Full of young, improving, energy fuelled individuals Jols men have made their best start for many a season and their fans are firmly in the belief that this is the year European football finally returns to the Lane.Martin Jol has moulded together a rich blend of solidity, energy and skill, sprinkled with the invaluable influence of a certain Edgar Davids, which has got his team believing in their own ability and they are progressing at a rate of knots.Previous Spurs teams may have suffered a hangover from their wobble at West Brom last week but they showed they are made of sterner stuff when brushing Newcastle aside with consummate ease at the weekend and I predict they can get a result here too.On their travels the North London outfit have fared well this term putting in good performances at tough places such as Old Trafford, The Valley and more recently a rallying display at The Riverside where in seasons gone by retrieving points would have been hard to come by. The absence of Ledley King at the back is a slight worry but the likely pairing of Dawson and Gardner proved just as effective when keeping Owen and Shearer quiet on Sunday and this defensive pairing will need to be on their metal again to thwart the likes of Cole, Vassel and Sibierski in opposition.City will come out all guns blazing from the off and this likely early bombardment will test Spurs? resolution. I can see the boys from the Lane showing why they are holding fourth spot in the league by keeping themselves disciplined early doors before gaining a foot hold in the game from which they can go on to nick it with the likes of Keane, Mido and Defoe always capable of breaking any defence.1pt Draw H/T Spurs F/T 5/1 generally